Rain poured down in buckets as thunder rumbled loud in the sky, causing a piercing scream to wake everyone. Tamaki shot out of his tent just in time to see Haruhi's face illuminated by a lightning flash before a rumbling filled his ears. Everyone else had come out of their tents by now, all looking worried. Suddenly, Kaoru cried out with fear and pointed towards the lake. A flood was rushing towards them. The twins, Mori and Hani all swiftly scaled a tree, away from the water, but Haruhi was rooted in fear. Tamaki and Kyouya both rushed for her just as the floods over took the camp. Kyouya managed to grab Haruhi's wrist as she was swept off her feet by the force of the water. Grabbing onto a low hanging tree branch, he struggled to hold on to her wet arm, but she was wrenched from his grasp. All six boys shouted at the same time:
"HARUHI!"
Haruhi coughed and sputtered as she was swept along by the current. Branches and twigs scraped her skin, and with out her contacts, it was nearly impossible for her to see anything too far away, so she got no early warning about what was coming. Thunder and lightning made her even more terrified, sending her into a panic. All she could think about was getting somewhere else, somewhere she could hide. A log swept past and she numbly reached out for it, latching on and pulling herself on top of it. Sobbing as another flash of lightning lit up the sky, she hugged the log close for support.
"Kaoru, Hikaru! You check by the road, maybe the flood washed her that way. Mori, Hani, you two are the strongest, I want you to go that way, follow the flood water. Kyouya, call for help." Tamaki gave orders fast and surely. No one objected for once.
"What will you do Tama-chan?" Hani asked. He was secretly glad he left Usa at home, or she would be all wet and icky right now.
"I'll go up towards the hill and see if I can spot her. Now GO!" Tamaki shouted. Everyone nodded and started to set off. "Wait. If you find Haruhi, give a shout and take her down the road to wait for Kyouya's car."
"Right," everyone said in unison and sped away to look for Haruhi. Kyouya watched Tamaki rush towards the hill and smiled to himself. His friend was trying to be a real hero.
The twins struggled through the mud, slipping down into ditches and tripping over hidden logs, all the while battling the current. At last, the two managed to clamber onto higher ground, trying to see the road. Kaoru pointed into the far distance.
"There's the road!" He called. Hikaru looked and nodded.
"C'mon brother." They followed the path that Kaoru had pointed out.
Mori caught hold of Hani's wrist as he stumbled.
"Mitsukuni…are you alright?" He asked calmly. Hani nodded and gritted his teeth.
"I'm fine. Let's keep going." Pushing ahead, he walked with the current, moving at more of a jog to keep from being swept off his feet. Mori followed, knowing that his cousin was truly worried about Haruhi, just like him.
Kyouya reached for his cell phone, which he always kept around. Dialing his private police force, he called for an ambulance and a search party, just incase Haruhi was not found by anyone of them. Then he leapt from the tree and took off at a run, set on finding Haruhi.
Tamaki stood at the top of the hill, wind blowing rain against his body, making it near impossible to see. Scanning the trees below, he could have sworn he heard Haruhi scream. He turned towards the sound, seeing a flash if lightning pierce the sky. There it was again, the scream.
Haruhi had no idea where she was. She was terrified, the storm plus the darkness plus the fact that she was in the forest, plus the fact that she was alone was almost too much for her. She had managed to escape the current and was now huddled against a tree, crying. Thunder boomed and she screamed.
Hikaru and Kaoru ran towards the scream, frantic to find Haruhi.
Mori and Hani moved towards Haruhi's cry.
Kyouya jerked at the noise and raced forward.
Tamaki leapt from the hill and threw his body towards the shriek.
Haruhi lifted her head as she heard rustling from all around. With a cry, she ducked as all six host members jumped from the trees around her and hugged her at the same time.
"HARUHI! ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?!" They all shouted. She shivered and nodded.
"W-w-well...except for the fact that I can't breathe, I'm good now." She stammered. The boys all let go and beamed.
"Come Haruhi, I've called an ambulance for you." Kyouya was about to pick her up, but Mori simply scooped her into his arms.
"Stronger." He said shortly. "Which way is out?"
"This way," The twins began leading, Hani on Mori's shoulders, both Kyouya and Tamaki lurking behind Mori, trying to take care of the girl in his hold.
Kyouya nodded to the men, who took Haruhi from Mori and loaded her into the large white van. Everyone climbed into the limo that had come to pick them up and grabbed the towels on the seats. The twins whispered to each other and nodded.
"Defiantly, Hikaru," Kaoru said.
"Indeed, Kaoru," Hikaru smiled, and settled back against his brother as the car sped towards the hospital. Kyouya faintly wondered what they were talking about, but made no attempt to find out, too exhausted.